Bernards has been able to pull through each of its last three tournament games with just a single goal, and each time it has been Erick Villagra who has helped supply the offense.

Sunday, Villagra headed in a goal off a pass from Charlie Overton in the 33rd minute to give Bernards, No. 18 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, a 1-0 victory over No. 13 Holmdel in the NJSIAA/Sports Authority Group 2 championship game at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.

It marked Bernards' third state title and first since 2006. The Somerset County team also won the Group 1 crown in 1989.

Overton took the corner kick and sent it into the box to Ivan Gonzalez, who fired a shot that was deflected by Holmdel keeper Mitchell Walier. Overton then played the ball and sent in a pass that was headed by Villagra from about six yards for his 11th goal of the season.

"That's all we need is one," Villagra said. "When we played hard teams like Cliffside Park and Madison, we only needed one goal. Thanks to our defense, we only needed one goal (again)."

Villagra had the assist on Johannes Oster's goal in 1-0 triumph over Newton in the Group 2 semifinals and set up David Dominguez's goal in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 final against Madison.

Bernards (19-3-1) won four of its six tournament games 1-0. Bernards also defeated defending Group 2 champion Cliffside Park, 1-0, in the sectional quarterfinals. The Somerset County team outscored its opponents, 16-0, in six games and finished the season 9-0 in games decided by one goal.

Goalkeeper Sam Polito made two saves to secure the team's school-record 18th shutout.

"I really have to thank them," Polito said. "It's really easy being a goalkeeper when you've got a strong line ahead of you. Eighteen shutouts is a direct result of the defense and the camaraderie and the team chemistry we've had all year."

Bernards held an 11-7 edge in shots, but Holmdel (20-4-1) had a 5-1 advantage in the second half.

Holmdel, which won the Group 3 championship last season, had a few chances to score, including a breakaway just about eight minutes into the second half, but couldn't convert.

Mitchell Walier ended with four saves for Holmdel.

The Monmouth County team had notched impressive 2-1 victories in the Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals over No. 19 Delaware Valley, in the final over Gov. Livingston and in the Group 2 semifinals over No. 17 Haddonfield.

"We did a good job getting here," Holmdel junior Zach Bond said. "We upset a lot of quality opponents, and it was privilege to be in the final for two straight years.